(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) Chicago, IL - December 8, 2009 - Coca-Cola Enterprises Bottling Company of Chicago received a First Place National Keep America Beautiful (KAB) Award in the Waste Reduction category for their hybrid electric delivery truck fleet. Nominated by the local KAB Chapter, Keep Chicago Beautiful, the award was presented at the 56th Annual Keep America Beautiful National Conference in Washington, D.C. on Friday, December 4, 2009. Joyce Kagan Charmatz, President, Keep Chicago Beautiful accepted the award on behalf of Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE).

On July 10, 2009 Richard M. Daley, Mayor, City of Chicago, joined Coca-Cola Enterprises to announce the deployment of 10 heavy-duty hybrid electric delivery trucks to its fleet in Chicago. The largest hybrid-electric delivery vehicles in North America, the model GVW 55,000 trucks improve fuel consumption by 30 percent, reduce emissions by 30 percent and create less noise and emissions when idling or stopped in traffic. As part of its commitment to Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS), CCE deployed 185 total hybrid electric trucks in 2009, bringing their total number of hybrid electric trucks to 327, the largest such fleet in North America.

“We are honored to be recognized by Keep America Beautiful,” said Glen Walter, vice president and general manger, Coca-Cola Enterprises Central Business Unit. “These hybrid trucks are a strong example of how we’re delivering on our Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability commitments and this award will serve as inspiration for us and other businesses to work even harder to capture operational efficiencies, drive innovation and effectiveness, and eliminate waste while simultaneously protecting the environment.”